Grapplers should be solid again this year
Mason Fetters of Columbia Falls wrestles against Jase Sorenson of Thompson Falls in this file photo. (Kylie Richter photo)
The Columbia Falls wrestling team has a solid core of returning grapplers that placed at the state tournament last year. They’re anchored by seniors Mason Fetters, Winfield West, Storm Kemppainen and Hunter Peterson. Fetters took second at state in the 145-pound category.
“We’ve got a great core group coming back,” said coach Jessie Schaeffer in his 12th year as head coach. The MatCats took fourth at state last year and won the divisional tournament, their fourth in a row.
Also anchoring the squad is sophomore Colton McPhee and junior Ben Windauer. They also placed at the state A tournament last season.
The team is down a bit in numbers over previous years, with about 30 on the squad total. The MatCats are on the road the bulk of the season — the era of duals is all but passed and the team does a lot of travel to tournaments in order to get enough matches in. The squad’s first home match isn’t until Jan. 17 against Frenchtown.
The squad will get tested early and often. They open the season at the Polson Invitational Friday, which is now a two-day tourney, drawing wrestlers from across the state and school classes.
Schaeffer is assisted by his brother, Ben and Rick Lawrence.